Well, hello, my friends, and welcome to the Live Inspired podcast Monday Morning Moments with John O'Leary.

I'm calling this episode, what a year of joy, of loss, and of love have taught me.

In preparing to close out the chapter on another year, I find myself reflecting on the

innumerable ups and downs of 2025.

If your year looked anything like mine, it held moments of soaring joy and, when we're

honest about it, some heartbreaking loss. On one hand, after years of persistently investing in

Soul on Fire, the film finally released in theaters,

and audience responded with an enthusiasm we could have never scripted.

The reviews, the handwritten notes, the standing ovation at the premiere,

and the quiet tears in darkened theaters reminded me that people still long

for true stories of brokenness, being redeemed. I remain utterly blown away by the response,

and am humbled by the impact of the film that had had on those who watched it. And yet,

family, friends,

midway through this year and right before the film came out theatrically,

we added words to the final scene of the film that I wasn't expecting.

Dedicated to Denny O'Leary.

A year overflowing with blessings also brought with it the loss of my dad.

His passing, after a long and valiant journey with Parkinson's disease, still feels unreal.

Dad was my hero.

I miss his voice, his presence, his humor, and the joy he shared in every interaction

with everybody. Although dad's death was something our family faced, all of us, I think, wrestle

with our own challenges, our own illnesses, our own professional uncertainty, relational conflict,

...